Drug unlocks potential in disease battle for overweight Australians
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In a significant move for the health community, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved a new use for a weight loss drug, potentially offering a fresh approach for those dealing with obesity and heart disease.
The drug is now authorised as a complementary therapy for adults with both conditions, aiming to reduce risks associated with heart attacks, strokes, and other health complications.
This decision, made in December 2024, marks a significant milestone in what experts are calling a 'new frontier for drugs.'
Wegovy, which is part of the same class of drugs as Ozempic and Mounjaro, known as GLP-1 RAs, works by mimicking a hormone that signals fullness to the body, thus reducing appetite and aiding in weight management.
The journey of Wegovy through the regulatory process has been one of careful consideration and research.
Initially approved by the TGA in August 2024 for chronic weight management, it faced a setback when it was denied listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for that purpose.
However, the Select trial illuminated the drug's potential for cardiovascular disease treatment, which involved 17,604 participants across 41 countries, including Australia.
These participants, all over 45 years of age with pre-existing heart disease and a body mass index of 27 or greater (but without diabetes), were either given Wegovy or a placebo.
The results, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, were compelling: those taking Wegovy saw a 20 per cent reduction in the incidence of heart attack or stroke compared to the placebo group.
Professor Stephen Nicholls, the lead of the Australian arm of the Select trial and the director of the Victorian Heart Institute at Monash University, emphasised the significance of these findings.
'We have really good medications for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, but we’ve never been able to show that a medication that loses weight, or even a medication that we’re using specifically for people who are overweight, can reduce the chance of having a heart attack or a stroke,' he said.
Interestingly, the study did not establish a direct correlation between the amount of weight lost and the cardiovascular benefits.
Even participants who did not lose significant weight experienced positive effects on inflammation, blood lipids, and blood pressure, which are key factors in preventing heart-related events.
The approval of Wegovy for this new indication is a beacon of hope for many, but it also raises questions about accessibility and affordability.
'There’s potentially a lot of people who might benefit from these therapies, and so we need better access,' Nicholls added.
The cost of the drug remains unchanged by the TGA's decision, and the separate process for government subsidy through the PBS listing is still pending.
With a potentially large population now eligible for Wegovy, experts like Dr David Henry, an honorary adjunct professor at Bond University, acknowledge the substantial budgetary impact that PBS listing could have.
As we await further developments on the PBS front, it's clear that Wegovy's approval for heart disease treatment in overweight and obese patients is a significant result for the medical community and those at risk.
It underscores the importance of innovative approaches to complex health issues and the need for continued investment in therapies that can improve quality of life and reduce disease burden.
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death and disability among older Australians, and obesity is a growing concern.
The approval of Wegovy offers a new tool in the fight against these conditions, and it's a reminder of the importance of discussing all available treatment options with healthcare providers.
In other news, a leading doctor in New York has reported a new symptom, allodynia, in patients using Ozempic for weight loss.
Allodynia is a condition where even mild stimuli, such as clothing or wind on the skin, can trigger pain or discomfort. You can read more about it here.
Credit: YouTube
Have you or someone you know been affected by heart disease and struggled with weight management? What are your hopes for the future of treatments like Wegovy? Join the conversation below, and let's support each other in our health journeys.
The drug is now authorised as a complementary therapy for adults with both conditions, aiming to reduce risks associated with heart attacks, strokes, and other health complications.
This decision, made in December 2024, marks a significant milestone in what experts are calling a 'new frontier for drugs.'
Wegovy, which is part of the same class of drugs as Ozempic and Mounjaro, known as GLP-1 RAs, works by mimicking a hormone that signals fullness to the body, thus reducing appetite and aiding in weight management.
The weight loss drug Wegovy has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for treating heart disease in overweight and obese patients. Credit: CR / iStock
The journey of Wegovy through the regulatory process has been one of careful consideration and research.
Initially approved by the TGA in August 2024 for chronic weight management, it faced a setback when it was denied listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for that purpose.
However, the Select trial illuminated the drug's potential for cardiovascular disease treatment, which involved 17,604 participants across 41 countries, including Australia.
These participants, all over 45 years of age with pre-existing heart disease and a body mass index of 27 or greater (but without diabetes), were either given Wegovy or a placebo.
The results, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, were compelling: those taking Wegovy saw a 20 per cent reduction in the incidence of heart attack or stroke compared to the placebo group.
Professor Stephen Nicholls, the lead of the Australian arm of the Select trial and the director of the Victorian Heart Institute at Monash University, emphasised the significance of these findings.
'We have really good medications for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, but we’ve never been able to show that a medication that loses weight, or even a medication that we’re using specifically for people who are overweight, can reduce the chance of having a heart attack or a stroke,' he said.
Interestingly, the study did not establish a direct correlation between the amount of weight lost and the cardiovascular benefits.
Even participants who did not lose significant weight experienced positive effects on inflammation, blood lipids, and blood pressure, which are key factors in preventing heart-related events.
The approval of Wegovy for this new indication is a beacon of hope for many, but it also raises questions about accessibility and affordability.
'There’s potentially a lot of people who might benefit from these therapies, and so we need better access,' Nicholls added.
The cost of the drug remains unchanged by the TGA's decision, and the separate process for government subsidy through the PBS listing is still pending.
With a potentially large population now eligible for Wegovy, experts like Dr David Henry, an honorary adjunct professor at Bond University, acknowledge the substantial budgetary impact that PBS listing could have.
As we await further developments on the PBS front, it's clear that Wegovy's approval for heart disease treatment in overweight and obese patients is a significant result for the medical community and those at risk.
It underscores the importance of innovative approaches to complex health issues and the need for continued investment in therapies that can improve quality of life and reduce disease burden.
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death and disability among older Australians, and obesity is a growing concern.
The approval of Wegovy offers a new tool in the fight against these conditions, and it's a reminder of the importance of discussing all available treatment options with healthcare providers.
In other news, a leading doctor in New York has reported a new symptom, allodynia, in patients using Ozempic for weight loss.
Allodynia is a condition where even mild stimuli, such as clothing or wind on the skin, can trigger pain or discomfort. You can read more about it here.
Credit: YouTube
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